Tool organizer

ABSTRACT

A tool organizer for placing on a structure and supporting a variety of handheld tools and other small objects. The organizer has a narrow body with a central opening to fit over the supporting structure. A plurality of tool supporting members are detachably secured on a continuous side wall of the body; the tool supporting members having hook-shaped, loop-shaped and other suitable configurations. The tool organizer is particularly useful for placing on a lid of an oil evacuation drum and allowing suspension of pliers, wrenches and other similar tools thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to workshop equipment, and moreparticularly to a device for retaining handheld tools in an easilyaccessible manner.

[0002] Mechanics and home repair people use a multitude of tools duringroutine car maintenance. For instance, during an oil change, a user mayneed to have easy access to wrenches, pliers, grease guns, and othersimilar tools to complete the job. Many people use toolboxes forcarrying the tools around the job site and to place them in an easilyreachable place. Other people simply scatter the tools around a workshopso that they pick up the tools as needed.

[0003] Conventionally, the user selects several tools that he/she knowswill be needed for the job and places them nearby, sometimes on theground next to the automobile being repaired or worked on. In manyinstances, however, especially with jobs involving repairs andmaintenance of different model cars, the precise type of tool needed isdifficult to anticipate. Still, it is of a convenience to the user tohave these tools available in an organized manner next to the joblocation.

[0004] The present invention contemplates provisions of a tool organizerthat can be particularly useful in automobile repair and maintenanceshops. It is conventional to use an oil drum for collection of used oil.The existing oil drain buckets usually have a top lid with an openinginto which an oil drain conduit is inserted. A funnel may be connectedto the free end of the hose to collect evacuated oil from engines,crankcases, transmissions, and differentials. Sometimes, a strainer isincluded into the drain bowl to strain off items that may be evacuatedand prevent their entrance into the oil collection drum. The drain tubeis usually secured in the center opening with wrenches or other similarmechanisms. The drum lid or cover can be outwardly convex, partiallyconvex, straight, and can have secondary openings to accommodate drainholes for emptying the drum into a larger container.

[0005] The present invention contemplates provision of a tool organizerthat can be used with different types of evacuation oil drums andbuckets while retaining handheld tools in a location easily accessibleby a mechanic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide atool organizer specifically adapted for retaining handheld tools in aworkshop.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a toolorganizer that can be used by mechanics and other individuals engaged inthe maintenance of cars and other vehicles.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toolorganizer that can be positioned on a lid of a conventional oilevacuation drum and be retained there in a secure, easily detachablemanner.

[0009] These and other objects of the present invention are achievedthrough a provision of a tool organizer that has a flat tool bodycarrying a plurality of support members for suspending various objectstherefrom. The body has dimensions greater than a correspondingstructure, such a lid of an oil evacuation drum. The support members aredetachably secured on a continuous sidewall of the body. The supportmembers may be shaped as hooks, loops, rods, etc.

[0010] A central opening formed in the body allows the body to fit overconduit connections on the lid of an oil evacuation drum. A cutout nextto the central opening or a secondary opening adjacent the centralopening allow accommodating secondary drain hoses secured to thecontainer lid.

[0011] The body may be ring-shaped, rectangular-shaped, etc. to fitvarious types of container lids. Some of the containers may haveoutwardly convex lids. To accommodate this type of a lid, the presentinvention provides for supporting legs extending downwardly from thebody. The lower portions of the legs are shaped to fit the curvature ofthe lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like partsare designed by like numerals, and wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof the tool organizer in accordance with the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tool organizer of the presentinvention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool organizer.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool organizer of the presentinvention as placed on a conventional evacuation oil drum.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a detail view of the tool organizer positioned on anevacuation oil drum that is provided with a handle.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a detail side view of the tool organizer provided withsupporting legs for positioning on the drum with an outwardly convexlid.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a detail view of a rectangular-shaped tool organizer foraccommodating a different type of evacuation oil drums.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMENT

[0019] Referring now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10designates the tool organizer in accordance with the present invention.The tool organizer 10 has a flat body 12 with a center opening 14. Thebody 12 has a top surface 16 and a continuous vertical sidewall 18. Thesidewall 18 is wide enough to allow securing of various tool-supportingmembers thereon.

[0020] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of hook-shapedsupport members 20 are detachably secured on the body 12. The hooks 20can be of any desired size suitable for suspending of pliers, wrenches,and oil filter wrenches. Depending on the demands of the job, thehook-shaped support members 20 can be two or more in number and supportAmerican, as well as metric calibrated tools.

[0021] One or more loop-shaped support members 22 are detachably securedon the wall 18. It is envisioned that the handle of a grease gun can beslipped through the loop and retain a grease gun on the body 12 untilneeded by the mechanic. Other types of securing members, for instancestraight rods 24 may be also provided on the tool organizer 10 and beused for suspending various types of tools provided with an opening inthe handle.

[0022] The tool supporting members 20, 22, and 24 are secured to thetool body 12 by forcing a portion of the support members 20, 22, and 24into the sidewall 18 (See FIG. 2). The screws that form parts of thesupport members 20, 22, and 24 are driven into the wall 18 to extendtherethrough and be retained thereon by nuts 26, and washers 28.

[0023] In an alternative, if the body 12 is made as a solid body, thesecuring members 20, 22, and 24 can be mounted on the wall 18 by forcingthe sharpened screw ends into the wall 18 and retaining them on the body12 in a detachable, interchangeable manner. The support members 20, 22and 24 may be oriented to extend at an angle to the top surface 16, ifdesired for convenience of the user.

[0024] Some conventional evacuation oil drums are provided with lidsthat have a peripheral flat portion and an outwardly convex centerportion. The evacuation tubes and other conduit connections are usuallyattached to the lid. The opening 14 is designed to fit over the lidportion that has a partially outwardly convex lid fitted with anevacuation tube. The size and shape of the opening 14 can be easilymodified depending on the type of drum with which the tool organizer 10will work.

[0025] A cutout 26 is provided in the body 12. The cutout 26communicates with the opening 14. The cutout 26 allows the toolorganizer 10 to accommodate a drain hose, if provided on the drum lid.The size of the opening 14 is large enough to fit snugly around thepartially outwardly convex portion of the drum lid.

[0026]FIG. 4 illustrates positioning of the tool organizer 10 on aconventional oil evacuation drum 30. As shown in the drawing, the oildrum 30 is provided with a top lid 32 that carries a primary oilevacuation conduit 34 with a funnel 36. The tool organizer 10 is placedover the lid 32 before the funnel 36 is connected with the tube 34 torest on top of the lid 32 and to extend outwardly from the periphery ofthe lid 32. The tool supporting members 20, 22 and 24 extend fartherfrom the drum body 30 than the lid 32.

[0027] Generally, no attachment means are necessary for the toolorganizer pin to stay in place on top of the lid 32. However, in someinstances, especially when particularly heavy or bulky tools must beused for the job, the body 12 may become unbalanced and shift itsposition in relation to the drum 30. To prevent disengagement ormisalignment of the body 12 in relation to the drum 10, severalattachment screws 38 may be provided. The attachment screws 38 engagethe outer rim of the drum 30 and ensure that any possible imbalance ofthe body 12 does not lead to overturning of the tool organizer 10. FIG.2 shows four such attachment screws 38, which can be as simple as sheetmetal screws, inserted through the body 12 to keep the tool organizer inplace.

[0028] The top surface 16, being flat, offers additional surface forstoring rags, screws, and other small items that are used during thejob. The body of the tool organizer 12 can be constructed fromfiberglass, wood, and other materials that are not easily breakable andcan withstand the physical stresses associated with suspension ofnumerous tools from the hooks and other support members. The supportmembers 20, 22, and 24 can be made from lightweight material, forinstance aluminum covered with a rubberized substance to preventscratching of the cars and other vehicles being worked on. Of course,the drum 30 can be a drum adapted to collect evacuated oil, transmissionfluid, and other changeable liquids.

[0029] The tool organizer 10 can be easily adapted to accommodatedifferent types of containers. One such modification is shown in FIG. 5,wherein a tool organizer 40 is provided with a small center opening 42and a secondary opening 44 to accommodate a drain hose that is placedaway from the center of a lid 46. The sidewall of the tool organizer 40has a straight cut portion 48 to accommodate a handle that is providedon some of the drums to make them easier in transportation. A pluralityof tool supporting members 50 are provided on the tool organizer 40,although only two of such members are shown in FIG. 5.

[0030]FIG. 6 illustrates another modification of the tool organizer toaccommodate outwardly convex lids that are used on some oil evacuationdrums. In this modification, a tool organizer 52 is provided withsupporting legs 54, which can be two or more in number to level positionof the tool organizer 52 on top of a lid 56. The lower portions 55 ofthe supporting legs 54 are shaped to fit over the curved surface of thelid, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0031] A plurality of tool supporting members 58 are secured on thesidewall 60 of the organizer 52 to allow suspension of pliers, wrenchesand other tools on the tool organizer 52. A center opening (not shown)is made in the body 60 to accommodate an oil evacuation tube 62, and asecond opening (not shown) is made in the body 60 to accommodate a drainconduit 64.

[0032]FIG. 7 illustrates the use of a tool organizer with still othertypes of drum lids. In this embodiment, a tool organizer 70 has agenerally rectangular configuration with a center opening 72 and asecondary opening 74 formed a distance from the center opening 72. Thistype of tool organizer can be used for positioning on a square lid 76that is provided with a handle 78 for moving the drum about theworkshop. A plurality of tool supporting members 80 are provided on thetool organizer 70 to allow suspension of the handheld tools therefrom.

[0033] The tool organizer of the present invention can be easilymodified to accommodate various types of containers and lids. The toolorganizer can be easily disengaged or detached from the lid and placedon another oil evacuation drum. The use of the securing screws 38 and ofthe legs 54 is optional.

[0034] It is envisioned that the tool organizer of the present inventionbe made from a number of non-corrosive materials that can be cleaned, ifdesired, of grease that will tend to accumulate on its surface. The sizeof the tool organizer can be easily adapted to accommodate the size ofthe lid and the peripheral dimensions of the drum. The coating placed onthe outwardly extending Hi hooks and rods protects the cars fromscratches in case the oil evacuation drum, which is usually positionedon a rolling caddy, is pushed and the supporting members come intocontact with the car surface.

[0035] The tool organizer can be placed on other structures, pedestals,etc. to allow suspension of a variety of small tools and objectstherefrom. It is envisioned that the central opening made in theorganizer body may be used for centering the body on the structure withthe help of a peg, rod or bolt, if desired.

[0036] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the design ofthe present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I,therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited onlyby the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A tool organizer, comprising: a generally flat body having acentral opening therein; and a plurality of support members secured on asidewall of the body for holding a variety of objects suspendablethereon.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a cutout is formed in saidtool body adjacent said central opening for accommodating a part of astructure, on which said body is detachably positioned.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a secondary opening formed in said bodyadjacent said central opening for accommodating a part of a structure,on which said body is detachably positioned.
 4. The device of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of legs extending downwardly from abottom surface of said body for leveling position of said body on anoutwardly convex structure.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said legshave a lower portion shaped to accommodate said outwardly convexstructure.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said support memberscomprise a plurality of hook-shaped members and loop-shaped members. 7.The device of claim 1, wherein said support members are detachablysecured on said body.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said body has agenerally ring-shaped configuration.
 9. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid body has a generally rectangular configuration.
 10. An organizerfor hand-held tools suitable for positioning on a lid of a container,said tool organizer comprising: a generally flat body having a centralopening therein to accommodate a primary conduit secured to a lid of thecontainer, said body having a continuous wall extending perpendicularlyto an upper surface of said body; and a plurality of support membersdetachably secured on said wall and extending outwardly from said body.11. The device of claim 10, wherein said body has a peripheral edge,said edge extending outwardly from an outer periphery of said lid. 12.The device of claim 10, wherein said support members comprise aplurality of hook-shaped and loop-shaped members.
 13. The device ofclaim 10, wherein said body is provided with a secondary openingcommunicating with the central opening for accommodating a secondaryconduit secured on said lid.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein saidbody is provided with a secondary opening formed a distance from thecentral opening to accommodate a secondary conduit secured on said lid.15. The device of claim 10, wherein said body is provided withdownwardly extending legs to level said body on an outwardly convex lid,said legs having a lower portion shaped to fit on an upper surface ofsaid lid.
 16. The device of claim 10, wherein said body has aring-shaped configuration.
 17. The device of claim 10, wherein said bodyhas a generally rectangular configuration.
 18. An organizer forhand-held tools suitable for positioning on a lid of an evacuation oildrum, said tool organizer comprising: a generally flat body having acentral opening therein to accommodate a primary conduit secured to thelid, said body having a continuos wall extending perpendicularly to anupper surface of said body; and a plurality of support membersdetachably secured on said wall and extending outwardly from said body,said support members having hook-shaped and loop-shaped configurations.19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a secondary openingformed in said body to accommodate a secondary conduit secured on saidlid.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein said body is provided withdownwardly extending legs to level said body on an outwardly convex lid,said legs having a lower portion shaped to fit on an upper surface ofsaid lid.